Rob Deer #45

Rob begins his first season as the Cubs major league assistant hitting coach ... was a teammate of Cubs manager Dale Sveum from 1986-88 and 1990 when the two played for the Milwaukee Brewers...Played in all or part of 11 major league seasons with San Francisco (1984-85), Milwaukee (1986-90), Detroit (1991-93), Boston (1993) and San Diego (1996)...Began his coaching career in 2001 as a minor league coach in San Diego's system ... spent six years as either a minor league hitting coach or roving hitting instructor for the organization...Graduated from Canyon High School in Anaheim, Calif. ... selected by San Francisco in the fourth round of the 1978 Draft. **Coaching Career** Rob spent six seasons as a minor league coach or coordinator in the San Diego Padres system...Most recently was San Diego's minor league hitting coordinator from 2004-06...As hitting coach for Single-A Lake Elsinore in 2002, helped guide the club to the California League Championship Series...Began his coaching career in 2001 as hitting coach for Single-A Eugene. **Playing Career** Rob, a former right-handed hitting outfielder, hit .220 with 230 home runs and 600 RBI in 1,155 major league games from 1984-96 with San Francisco (1984-85), Milwaukee (1986-90), Detroit (1991-93), Boston (1993) and San Diego (1996)...Recorded eight-straight 20-home run campaigns from 1986-93 ... hit a career-high 33 home runs with the Brewers in 1986. w His 215 home runs from 1986-93 ranked fourth-most in the A.L. behind only Jose Canseco (240), Mark McGwire (229) and Joe Carter (223)...Logged a .324 on-base percentage in his career, and drew a career-best 89 walks with the Tigers in 1991...Led the American League in strikeouts four times: 1987-88, 1991 and 1993.